Water treatment plant work progresses in Godagari
Work on a Tk 4,062.22 crore joint Bangladesh-China water treatment project in Godagari, Rajshahi, is progressing visibly, bringing relief to local residents. Once completed, the project is expected to nearly double Rajshahi WASA’s water supply capacity and significantly ease the city’s longstanding shortage of safe drinking water.
Chinese project officials have also earned praise from locals for rebuilding damaged drains, houses, shops and mosques affected during pipeline installation.
The project involves treating surface water from the Padma River in Godagari and supplying it to Rajshahi city. Approved by ECNEC in October 2018, construction began in July 2023 in Jot-Gosaidas area of Godagari under joint financing by Bangladesh and China. Three years into the four-year project, around 85% of the infrastructure construction has been completed.
Construction of the intake point at the confluence of the Padma and Mahananda rivers, the main treatment plant and a booster plant at Haripur in Paba is progressing rapidly. Of the planned 26.5km pipeline, 21km has already been installed. According to Rajshahi WASA, the project’s overall physical progress has reached around 75%.
Around 1,800 workers are currently engaged in the project, with about 80% of the workforce comprising local workers and technicians. The project uses French water-treatment technology and high-quality pipes supplied by China’s Xingjian Company. Experts expect the treatment plant to have a service life of at least 70 years.
The project is being implemented jointly by the Hunan Construction Engineering Group Company Limited of China and the Bangladesh government. Bangladesh is providing Tk 1,748 crore, while the Chinese company is financing Tk 2,013 crore.
The project has also created employment for more than 2,000 local workers and traders through regular purchases of sand from local suppliers and timely payments. Officials and local residents hope the project will be completed ahead of schedule, bringing safe drinking water to Rajshahi and surrounding areas.
